Gear Review- GSMNP trip- Ridge Rest and REI Kilo Flash

After getting cold on the Hobb's cabin hike I decided to make a few additions to my gear before the Smokies backpack 2 weeks later. I love my Montbell Super Stretch Down bag but it is only rated to 30 degrees. I just can't afford to buy the SS 10 degree bag. So I thought I'd try a technique I learned from a hiking friend Craig. He uses two bags in the winter in his hammock. So I thought I'd try the same technique. I would still use the 30 degree Montbell as my main sleeping bag since I love the stretchy fabric and I'd add another light weight bag over it like a quilt.

Since I didn't have much time and I really wanted to keep the cost down I decided on a REI women's Kilo Flash. It's rated to 35 degrees and weighs only 20 oz. which makes my total weight 43 oz. or 2 lbs 10 ozs for both bags. I am hoping to get well into the twenties with both bags. I do sleep very cold which is vexing since I hike very hot! On this trip the technique worked perfectly. I don't think it got much below the mid-thirties and I was quite warm in the two bags. I slept in long john top and bottom and a light fleece. The fleece came off in the night as did my socks. The second bag mostly stayed in place...I can see how this would work better in a hammock...it slipped a little but as it was warmer than I expected it wasn't a big deal. The REI bag was on clearance for $114 from $180...now it's down to $70 on the http://www.rei.com/ site. This is a good, warm, light bag and for that price I'd grab one while they are available!

I also took a Therm-a-rest Ridge Rest closed cell pad that I picked up at a yard sale for $4. It retails for $25 and weighs on my scales 12.4 oz. I thought it would be a good addition to my Big Agnes Air Core 15 degree pad. It was too warm to tell a difference though. It's light and I will probably take it once it gets colder out. Right now it is doubling as a yoga mat so at least I'm using it!

Gear Review- GSMNP trip- Granite Gear Vapor Ki

I had been using the Deuter Futura Zero 40 SL through the summer. It is a 3 lb. 1oz. pack but I wanted the mesh Aircomfort back to keep cooler and less sweaty. However I really wanted a lighter pack that held more (2450 cu in). (http://www.deuter.com/)

I was really at capacity in the summer and knew that I would need more room when I wanted to pack down stuff, longjohns, etc. On the Hobb's cabin trip I was able to check out a Granite Gear pack that Sara was using. I liked the look of it and she had good things to say about it. I had done research on the Granite Gear packs before so seeing one in the field pushed me into ordering one.

I got it on sale for just over $100 after doing an online search (retail $170). Can't remember what company I went with though. It lists at 2lbs. 5ozs. and 3600 cu in. It only cuts a little more than half a pound off my weight but I gain over 1000 cu in of space! I am not sure I like the lidless design but it's ok so far. I was able to fit all my gear in comfortably. I added a down jacket and pants, a second down sleeping bag, wool long johns, closed cell pad, and my Jetboil. These are items I didn't have on the last trip.

The pack is super comfortable. I could have gone lighter but I wanted something with the adjustable load lifters and a good padded hip belt. The pack has two large open pockets and two small zippered pockets and an area on the front to strap a sleeping pad or jacket. I am still getting used to not having the lid for additional storage. GG sells an attachable lid but I don't know if it's worth the moeny or the extra weight...it seems really small on the web so I will have to consider this for a while. Other than losing a bit of convenience with the lid I am really enjoying this pack...it is much more comfortable than the Deuter.

Gear Report GSMNP trip- Tarptent Rainbow

The trip to GSMNP allowed me to try out my new Henry Shires Rainbow tarptent and my new Granite Gear Vapor Ki backpack.

The Rainbow replaced a 4+ pound Wenzel youth tent I had purchased from Walmart many years ago to use on the occasional backpack trip. Then I didn't backpack for about 15 years. So the tent was one of the items I really wanted to replace. I did alot of research and read alot of message board postings and had my choices narrowed to the MSR Missing Link and the Shires Contrail or Rainbow.

I have a friend who uses the Missing Link so I had seen it in use before. The tent weighs right at 3 pounds and is a true 2 person tent. I didn't like the fact you must use your trekking poles to set it up with. I did like the "canopy" style door. I really wanted a tent that was a bit lighter though. Between the Contrail and Rainbow I went for the slightly heavier Rainbow because of a couple of features I liked. It is listed as a 3+ season tent and this appealed to me as I intend to backpack once every month and even though middle Tennessee doesn't get a ton of snow I wanted to have the option of going out in the snow. I also liked the side entry door vs. the end entry of the Contrail. I also felt the free-standing option of the Rainbow was a useful feature. The Rainbow comes in at 2lbs. 3ozs. on my scale including all poles, stakes and stuff sacks.

I seam sealed the tent and painted stripes of silicone on the floor of the tent as suggested. I was glad I did the floor! The silnylon is very slippery and even on a bit of a slope your pad will slide around. The silicone kept this to a minimum. I had plenty of room and room for my gear. I don't think it got below about 35 or 40 degrees and it was dry. I didn't have any trouble with condensation. The door provided a very small vestibule; I kept my boots under this and brought my pack into the tent. The Rainbow set up quickly (I tried it twice at home first) and came down even quicker. I believe I could get it into a smaller stuff sack so I can lay it flat in my pack vs. having to stand it up straight. So far I like my choice!

Hike Report- GSMNP Cosby Loop Area

The trip included three backpackers. We drove to Knoxville Friday after work and stayed in a hotel since we didn't want to try to set up in the Cosby campsite in the cold and dark. Wimps...maybe... but that hot shower felt GOOD!!!!!

We were up early on Saturday grabbed a drive-thru breakfast at McDonald's and were on our way. After making a wrong turn and about 45 minutes out of our way we got back on track and made it to the Cosby Campsite. After Tammy got us registered we made our way to the Snake Den trail to begin our ascent of Maddron Bald. This was a long, slow climb...for me anyway. This is the most ascent I've ever done so I was quite glad I had only about 23 pounds in my pack. I would have been under 20 but I added a few things I'll go into later. We smelled bear a couple of times and as we approached the summit there was snow left over from a small storm a few days earlier. The view from the bald wasn't as spectacular as I had expected there was a lot of scrubby bushes growing about 6-10 feet tall that obscured a lot of the view.

We stopped for lunch just as we were heading down the other side. The temperatures were quite interesting to me. On the bald it was almost 60 degrees and then down the other side at a creek crossing it was about 45 degrees, away from the water it warmed to the low 50's. We completed about 12-13 miles on Saturday and got into campsite #32 just before dark. We passed a big pile of bear poop right outside of the camp...good thing there are pulleys and lines to hang food from! We had just enough time to set up tents and gather a bit of wood for a fire. There were only 4 other people in the camp so we cooked in the empty central campsite and hung our food bags there as well. Then walked about 50 yards to our own camp and made a small fire.

Sunday morning we hiked about 5 miles out to the Cosby campsite. The colors were beautiful. Down in the valley's everything was still green, farther up the colors were brilliant yellows and reds and at the top the colors had peaked and were shades of rust and brown. Charlotte kept marvelling at the size of the trees...I must admit they were quite large. One that had fallen across the trail and been cut had 400 years old written on it.

Gear Review- Frogg Toggs Dri Ducks

Well I got the Frogg Toggs rain gear in that I had ordered. They weight 10.5 oz for jacket and pants combined. I got the men's medium and the fit just fine they must run extremely large since I usually like my stuff to be large or XL.

These things are basically crap. I put them on to kayak in since it is getting cooler and I didn't want to get wet while I was out for a short paddle. When I got out of the kayak I snagged the pants on the dock somehow and tore a hole in them, I didn't even feel it. Then I squatted down to get something out of the kayak and yes I ripped the backside right out of them!!! Jeez, that was a quick loss of $20. I am going to see if I can get a refund but I'm not holding my breath.

So, the reviews were right on. Some folks loved them and said they held up well but the ones that didn't like them hit the nail on the head. All the negative reviews said you would rip your pants when you squatted and they tear very easily.

Obey the reviewers!!!

Tarptent Rainbow and Granite Gear Vapor Ki

Just got my new pack and tent in over the weekend.

The pack is a 2 lb. 2 oz. Granite Gear Vapor Ki which I purchased online from Prolite Gear for $104 including 3 day shipping, it carries up to 30lbs. and holds 3,500 cu. in.. It is lidless (not sure how I'll like this) but does have good suspension and is hydration bladder compatible. I'm saving right at 1 lb. over my Deuter Futura pack and gaining 1,000 cu. in. of space.

The tent is a Henry Shires Rainbow, 1-2 person, 3+ season, 2 lb. 1.7 oz. (on my scale), free standing optional, $225 from tarptent.com. It did not come with instructions. WTF? It has a ton of tabs and strings and zippers and flaps and the fabric is actually slippery; I just can't seem to figure it out. Maybe I've been using the simple Walmart tent for too long. Any how it is almost 2 lbs. lighter than my old tent so HOORAH!

With those two purchases I dropped three pounds off my base weight.

Hobbs Cabin Backpack

It was a really good trip. I got a bit cold. It was supposed to be 46 overnight but it was actually about 10 degrees cooler. We did 18 miles total with very little elevation change. The leaves were just beginning to change and we went past several beautiful overlooks.

The only new gear I had this time was the Big Agnes Cyclone chair kit, 6 oz., $39. It worked out just fine. I used an empty dog chow bag under it (free, after the dogs eat the food, 5 oz., water resistant) to offer a bit of protection as the instructions say to treat it gently.

The Montbell 30 degree bag is not warm enough for me but I like it so I'm goin to try to extend the rating by wearing a down jacket and pants to sleep in. I think the bag is fine but I personally must just not be as tolerant to the cold weather as I would like. I slept in the 30 degree bag plus synthetic long john tops and bottoms, synthetic t-shirt, smart wool socks, light fleece sweater and a windstopper hat. I had on my fleece gloves but pulled them off at some point. I woke up a couple of times shivering but it wasn't too bad. I wish I had brought the down jacket though.

My total skin out weight was right at 28 pounds. There was no water in the spring and we were advised to carry in all the water we would need. I took 4 liters and ended up using a little bit over 3 liters. So without the water I would have been around 22 pounds. Moving in the right direction!

Upcoming Backpack Oct 10 Savage Gulf

Coming up this weekend I'm hiking to Hobbs Cabin with the group.

A couple of additions this time. Got the Big Agnes UL chair kit, 6oz. from basegear.com $39 with free shipping. Also bought a Cocoon down camp pillow for $24, 10x15, 3oz. and packs down to the size of a baseball. This thing is crap! I got it today and it is going back tomorrow! Like putting your head on air, not a bit of support.

I saw a camp pillow at Walmart yesterday that i'm going to try. It felt pretty light I'd estimate about 8oz. it is memory foam on top of a blow up air pillow wrapped in a cozy fleece case. It doesn't stuff to baseball size but I'll bet I can get it down to softball size! It only costs $7 so I'm going to give it a go!

On order from thegearlessmachine.com is a set of Frogg Toggs Dri Ducks rain gear for $16 and free shipping. They weigh 15oz for the hooded jacket and pants both. They got a good review from backpackinglight.com but they are not extremely durable. For that price and weight I have to give them a try!

Labor Day backpack to Virgin Falls

I bought a new pack. A Deuter Futura SL Zero 40, 3lbs, 2450 cu in for $80 from rockymountaintrail.com

Also got a Big Agnes Insluated Aircore, 15 degree, 66", 22oz. sleeping pad from manventure.com for $40

The pack was a increase in weight but the pad weighs less. I did carry the rain jacket this time and swimwear. I didn't carry the chair kit (minus 16oz) as it doesn't fit the Big Agnes but I did pack a Campmor camp pillow 12oz. that didn't stuff down very small. Also added 50ft of rope, 3oz. I carried alot more water, the full 100oz. so I was right at 26 pounds.

Results- The pack was a dissapointment. It was not as comfortable as the Deuter daypack. The Big Agnes was great. I was much more comfortable but still didn't sleep great. The pillow helped but needs to be smaller/lighter. I missed the chair kit.

June 7 Backpack to Savage Gulf

Did a joint backpack and dayhike at South Cumberland State Natural Area with the group.

One week since my last backpack trip and my big change for this trip was that I made a alcohol stove. I made a Klasslite stove which is basically a tea light filled with alcohol. Bad description... video link at the bottom if you're interested.

Still around 20-22 pounds. The alcohol stove, fuel, Heineken Beer can as a cook pot all weighs in at 7oz.

Biggest goof...I left my rain fly out somehow. Yes, it did rain of course. Trash bag and duct tape to the rescue!

Results- Cooked food is good! Still not sleeping well. Love the new bag and the pack works but I need a bit more room. Left out the rain gear since it is so hot so I got drenched but it felt great!

http://www.backpackingvideos.com/tealightstoveupgrade.htm

Memorial Day weekend Virgin Falls Backpack

I would have loved to get out before this but it just didn't work out.

My big changes for this trip were a new Montbell 30 degree down bag 1lb 7oz, no stove on this trip, and I used a 1500 cu in Deuter daypack that weighed 2 pounds.

My total weight for the trip was right at 20 pounds.

The main weight savings was about 4 pounds combined on the bag and pack. I also packed food that could be eaten cold and of course much less clothing!

My big problems on this trip was not sleeping well and I hated eating my cold food.

New gear...

Montbell Super Stretch Ultralight 800 fill down 1lb 7oz for $196 on sale from $270 purchased online can't remember where.

Deuter AC lite 25 daypack on clearance from alltrec.com for $40.

Conclusions from Bearwaller Gap trip

Just about everything must go!

The tent was ok, no condensation issues but it's just a cheap little tent and probably wont stand up to many overnights. Walmart $20 about 8 years ago.

The bag was fine a bit bulky but not bad at all. I got it at campmor on clearance for $40 just before the trip. I'd like to try down at least for 3 season use.

Jetboil must go, too heavy and it got too cold and wouldn't relight after the first cup of cider I heated.

Backpack must go. There was no way to adjust much of anything and it just felt wrong.

Thermarest was fine as was the chair kit.

I balled up the down jacket to use as a pillow but might like to have one when it gets too warm to pack the jacket.

Clothes worked ok. I didn't use the sleep pants just wore the long johns. The main problem was getting too hot while hiking. I had on thick hiking pants plus long johns and a double thick base layer and fleece...way too much for me.

Gear list for Bearwaller Gap

My gear list for the Bearwaller Gap hike...

In pack-

15 year old Camp Trails Shasta internal frame pack about 4 pounds
15 year old Thermarest 60'' pad about 2 pounds
Thermarest chair kit about 1 pound
Coleman sleeping bag synthetic 20 degree 2lb 10oz
JetBoil 24oz
Light My Fire Spork 1oz
Wenzel 2 person Youth tent right at 4 pounds
Camelback 100oz water bladder (carried about 40oz of water)
Nalgene 24oz bottle
small stuff sack with contacts, glasses, solution, brush, tp, wipes, meds, etc probably 1 pound
ultralight compression sack (for clothing) 4oz.
food carried in to share for dinner and power bar for breakfast total 1 pound
double thick wicking base layer (walmart brand)
flannel sleep pants
extra socks and underwear total clothes 2 pounds
Nike Down Jacket 24oz


clothes worn-

gloves, hat, neck gaiter 16oz
Columbia Titanium pants
seal skinz long johns
double thick wicking base layer
Fleece sweater

My Journey....

This all started back in January when I went on an overnight backpack to Bearwaller Gap in Carthage, TN. It was my first backpack in about 15 years.

I was miserable! My pack was uncomfortable and at 35 lbs. way to heavy for my abilities. Granted that weight is not colossal but it was to me. So all of a sudden all that ultralight talk began to look a little better.

All I had to do was figure out how to lighten my load without ending up in the poor house.

So, my journey will be about the trials and errors of transitioning to ultralight while keeping an eye on the price tag and not giving up all comforts.

* The photo is of one of the other hikers...I'll bet he was carrying more than 35lbs.! BTW the huge pot is not a usual item for his pack; we were making a communal dinner and he volunteered to haul the soup pot!